Chapter 169 - 165: Two Devices Hit Each Other_1

Speaking of the deep space detection network, the Moon naturally constitutes a part of it.

Currently, the Magpie Bridge relay satellite in Moon orbit and the landers on the lunar surface can both be considered detection nodes.

Since its descent on the Moon’s surface on May 11, the Explorer robot has already carried out extensive exploration.

Thanks to the large size and strong transmission capability of the Magpie Bridge relay satellite, the landing process that day was live-streamed. Although it was a 720P video, the high bit-rate ensured a clear and smooth picture.

If it had been the originally designed Magpie Bridge, the insufficient bandwidth might have caused the video to be extremely blurry and choppy in order to leave enough bandwidth for the operators’ communication channel.

Even though there had been the Chang’e 3 mission landing before, Chang’e 4 still received a lot of attention because everyone was interested in the uniquely styled lunar rover: Explorer Big Spider.

After all, although there have been oddly shaped probes in the past, a spider-style one was truly a first sight, including a large number of foreigners watching on the internet.

When the cratered lunar surface appeared under the camera, Lin Ju’s first reaction was that it was desolate, extremely desolate.

Lingering in low lunar orbit in preparation for landing, the lander swiftly flew over the lunar surface before finding the right moment to decelerate.

This process, lacking any data changes, was imperceptible to the average person, but it did not stop their amazement.

For many, the impression of the landing was: the Moon’s surface in the video grew larger, crater rims quickly transitioned from small circles to immense mountains before vanishing from the frame, the Moon soil then magnified before one’s eyes - not much different from the view in near-Moon orbit. But suddenly, the image froze, because the lander had stopped.

Only then did it dawn on people: oh, the dust that had just flown up was stirred by the air currents.

At least in the live broadcast, the procedure of landing on the lunar surface appeared very deceptive, making one realize that Armstrong’s manual control of the lander after a computer crash truly required some skill.

The camera switched from beneath the lander to above it, and then the lander lowered two folded alloy latticed ramps to form a slope. In the frame, a lunar rover identical to Yutu No.1 slowly emerged, and then, at a speed that made one question whether it was in slow motion, descended the ramp, leaving its own imprint on the Moon soil with its wheels.

The 150 kg Yutu No.2 actually produced only 25 kg of downward force due to the low gravity, roughly equivalent to a shopping cart loaded with quite a few items.

Applause arose both in the control center and in front of televisions, but it was not as passionate as one might expect.

Because they were waiting for the second probe to come down.

But as Yutu No.2 started its journey, the Explorer robot still did not appear, inevitably leading to speculation about a possible malfunction.

Meanwhile, in the Chang’e 4 control center, the following scene was unfolding:

"Hurry up, back up a bit more, what if it crashes?"

"Can’t it just walk down? What were the two ramps made for? You guys spent so much effort on electronic control, not just for show. It surely can’t be that you can’t even manage this."

The arguing parties were the control groups for the two rovers, Yutu No.2 and Explorer. As they spoke to each other, Yutu No.2 moved five meters away, then slowly began to turn in preparation for mutual photography of the two rovers.

All the viewers watching the live broadcast were somewhat puzzled, failing to understand why the Explorer robot was not moving. As they focused their attention on Yutu No.2, a grayish-white figure flashed across the top of the frame.

The Explorer robot exerted force with its eight spider legs and leapt directly from the lander!

In the live broadcast, one could see a creature larger than Yutu No.2 descend from the sky, then land heavily on the tracks of Yutu No.2, completely destroying the latter’s maiden voyage.

When the Magpie Bridge relay satellite relayed the amphibious mutual transmission images taken by Yutu back to Earth, people saw the soaring Explorer.

The timing was just perfect, capturing the Explorer at the peak of its jump, its eight legs spread out mid-air, resembling an alien monster.

As Explorer No.1 landed, bringing with it the accumulated potential energy from above, its eight spider legs were alternately lowered in precise timing, stably positioning the Explorer upright.

Next, the mechanical spider, just like a real spider, used its flexible eight legs to pivot on the spot. Its front-mounted integrated photoelectric sensor, connected to the main body via a miniature mechanical arm, was as stable as a chicken’s head.

From the lander’s camera, the Explorer’s flat photoelectric sensor made it look more like a crab than a spider.

Under ground control, the Explorer raised one of its front legs and gently waved toward where the camera was.

This movement was much more agile than during Earth tests; the Explorer, which could barely move freely on Earth’s surface, transformed into a sprightly sprite on the Moon, revealing agility in every move, in stark contrast to the static Yutu No.2.

However, the latter was not just idly watching; in front of the lunar rover, the flag, which was originally folded and laying down, suddenly stood up like rabbit ears, distinctly marking their identity as visitors from Earth.

Explorer No.1 had no flag to use, so it simply aimed its photoelectric sensor at Yutu No.2, simultaneously transmitting images of flags in both directions.

In the command center of the Chang’e 4 mission, everyone clapped enthusiastically, but the engineers from New Yuan were quite regretful.

Their original idea was to bring a large flag, just like the Apollo mission’s Stars and Stripes, and then have the Explorer robot drill a hole in the ground to insert it, which was entirely feasible.

However, the space agency strongly disagreed with this, and in the end, simply brushed it off with the excuse "let the manned landing take care of this task."

After all, it is the first flag, and the space agency certainly didn’t want it planted by a private enterprise; otherwise, the project leader would have to write a self-criticism.

So instead, they had Yutu No.2 carry a mini flag. A symbol was good enough.

In the live broadcast, the host’s introduction of Explorer No.1 was somewhat lukewarm, completely official in demeanor, but this couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the people.

Although the name "Explorer" sounded quite different from the traditional Yutu and Chang’e to the Chinese public, the tech-filled Explorer was much more interesting than the dull Yutu No.2.

It was a pity that the live broadcast feed was unified and rebroadcast by Magpie Bridge, with a pre-planned procedure; otherwise, if the Explorer’s footage were given a dedicated slot, the viewship might have been even higher.

However, the live broadcast was very short. After the two rovers completed mutual photography of each other, the broadcast ended, but before it did, the Explorer specially adjusted its angle to allow the lander to send back a clear group photo of the machines.

The Explorer stretched out one of its side spider legs and gently placed it in front of Yutu No.2’s solar panel, appearing as if two buddies were linking arms.

After leaving the audience and the world’s space community in great awe, Explorer disappeared like a phantom, with only Yutu No.2 occasionally sending back a few photos.

But in reality, Explorer No.1 was quite busy.